impromptu

1 of 2

adjective

im·​promp·​tu im-ˈpräm(p)-(ˌ)tü 

-(ˌ)tyü

1

: made, done, or formed on or as if on the spur of the moment : improvised

had an impromptu party

2

: composed or uttered without previous preparation : extemporaneous

impromptu remarks

impromptu adverb

impromptu

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that is impromptu

2

: a musical composition suggesting improvisation

Did you know?

Impromptu most often describes things, such as speeches or gatherings, that are not prepared ahead of time but that instead happen spontaneously. An impromptu concert or photoshoot, for example, is conceived and executed in the moment. Impromptu was borrowed—spelling, meaning, and all—from French in the mid-18th century. The French had gotten the word from Latin, from the phrase in promptu, meaning “in readiness.” But the presence of prompt in there is no coincidence: both impromptu and prompt are ultimately derived from the Latin promere, meaning “to bring forth, take out.”

Synonyms of impromptu

Adjective

• improvised
• improvisational

Noun

• improvisation

Examples of impromptu in a Sentence

Adjective

Two of my friends came by unexpectedly, and we had an impromptu little party in my kitchen.

He made an impromptu speech about honor and responsibility.

Noun

although five different lines had been written, the best choice turned out to be an impromptu from the tired actor himself

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

An impromptu student protest was organized Sunday morning and about 30 people attended that get together at noon outside the Jones Center on campus. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 30 Nov. 2025

Springy reindeer ears and impromptu picnics dominated the grass-and-concrete grounds. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025

The seemingly indifferent shih tzu lies motionless beneath the impromptu throne, while a retro synth instrumental soundtrack underscores the awkward timing of the moment. —MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

In Metcalfe Park, April Quevedo has focused on food access after a grocery store closure, the expansion of mental health care and a piece about residents forming an impromptu trauma team to save a motorcyclist’s life after an accident. —Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from impromptu extemporaneously, from Latin in promptu in readiness

First Known Use

Adjective

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

impromptu

adjective

im·​promp·​tu

im-ˈpräm(p)-t(y)ü

: not prepared ahead of time : extemporaneous

an impromptu speech

impromptu adverb or noun